BMI, or body mass index, expresses the relationship between weight and height. For most people, it’s a fairly reliable indicator of how much body fat they have. The higher your number, the greater risk you have of developing certain health problems, like coronary artery disease or diabetes. (For more information about BMI, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s pages for adults and children and teens.)

Your BMI is a good starting point for determining your target weight, but it's not an absolute. Other factors, such as age, sex, race, and bone and muscle mass, also need to be considered. Talk with your physican if you have questions about your BMI.